Summer Thirst Quenchers

Thirsty-time!

By: Vijaya Rajagopalan

The summer heat makes us all yearn for cold drinks by the gallon. The best thirst quencher is of course WATER! Not ice-cold from the refrigerator, but cool from the tap. It is said that cold, refrigerated water with ice cubes gulped down after a walk, game, or other aerobic activities is not a good idea – it’s like a shock to the system. Drink cool or cold water instead and drink it slowly.

Growing up, we were given water stored in earthen pots or matka or paanai - these pots actually cool the water amazingly well. Sometimes we’d add a slice of lime or even the skin of cardamom, to flavor the water delicately. If you have such a pot at home store water in it to cool and try other herbs that may appeal to your taste buds.

Here are a few guaranteed thirst quenchers from our kitchen:

Buttermilk Cooler

Mint & ginger buttermilk drink that is a real thirst buster that also helps cool the body.

Ingredients:

2 glasses buttermilk

Salt to taste

3 – 4 mint leaves or curry leaves

½ inch piece of fresh ginger, skinned and crushed

Method:

Put all these ingredients in a blender and run until fully mashed up.

Strain through a sieve

Add 2 glasses cool water. Add a couple drops lime juice if desired.

Keep the buttermilk drink really thin.

Buttermilk is also a good probiotic for your stomach.

Mint & Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients:

1 large lemon or lime - deseeded

½ inch piece of fresh, peeled ginger

4-5 mint leaves

1 teaspoon of honey or raw sugar

2 glasses water

Method:

If using lemon, squeeze out all the juice into a bowl. If using lime, and if they are thin-skinned, you can quarter them put them into the blender with the skin on. Try it! The skin gives it an interesting flavor.

To the blender add the lemon juice if using, or the quartered lime pieces.

Add the ginger, mint leaves, honey or raw sugar and a quarter glass of slightly warm water and run until fully blended.

Strain this juice into a pitcher. Add the 2 glasses cool water.

Taste and adjust the honey or sugar to your taste.

Raw Mango Cooler

Ingredients:

2 raw mangoes – skinned, seeds removed.

¼ teaspoon dry ginger powder

1 tablespoon raw sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

Method:

Add the skinned and deseeded mangoes to a couple tablespoons water and boil gently until they become soft and mushy.